In the town of Newcastle upon Tyne, a number of disputes were continually arising on the subject of shipping concerns, which were referred to the decision of the laws.  These decisions were often grievously expensive.  They were, besides, frequently different from what seafaring persons conceived to be just.  The latter circumstance was attributed to the ignorance of lawyers in maritime affairs.  Much money was therefore often expended, and no one satisfied.  Some Quakers, in the neighbourhood, in conjunction with others, came forward with a view of obviating these evils.  They proposed arbitration as a remedy.  They met with some opposition at first, but principally from the gentlemen of the law.  After having, however, shown the impropriety of many of the legal verdicts that had been given, they had the pleasure of seeing their plan publicly introduced and sanctioned.  For in the month of June, 1793, a number of gentlemen, respectable for their knowledge in mercantile and maritime affairs, met at the Trinity-hall in Newcastle, and associated themselves for these and other purposes, calling themselves “The Newcastle upon Tyne Association for general Arbitration.”

This association was to have four general meetings in the year, one in each quarter, at which they were to receive cases.  For any urgent matter, however, which might occur, the clerk was to have the power of calling a special meeting.

Each person, on delivering a case, was to pay a small fee.  Out of these fees the clerk’s salary and incidental expenses were to be paid.  But the surplus was to be given to the poor.

The parties were to enter into arbitration-bonds, as is usual upon such occasions.

Each party was to choose out of this association or standing committee, one arbitrator for himself, and the association were to choose or to ballot for a third.  And here it will be proper to observe, that this standing association appeared to be capable of affording arbitrators equal to the determination of every case.  For, if the matter in dispute between the two parties were to happen to be a mercantile question, there were merchants in the association:  If a question relative to shipping, there were ship-owners in it:  If a question of insurance, there were insurance-brokers also.  A man could hardly fail of having his case determined by persons who were competent to the task.

Though this beautiful institution was thus publicly introduced, and introduced with considerable expectations and applause, cases came in but slowly.  Custom and prejudice are not to be rooted out in a moment.  In process of time, however, several were offered, considered, and decided, and the presumption was, that the institution would have grown with time.  Of those cases which were determined, some, relating to ships, were found to be particularly intricate, and cost the arbitrators considerable time and trouble.  The verdicts, however, which were given, were in all